Key takeaways from Maduro's first court appearance in U.S.
Maduro is facing multiple criminal charges in the U.S., including narco-terrorism
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty on terrorism and drug-trafficking charges during his first appearance in a New York court on Monday.
The appearance comes two days after the United States captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a shocking pre-meditated military raid that took place before dawn on Saturday.
Early Saturday, while it was still dark, some 150 aircraft descended on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and captured the pair. The two were then transported to New York, where they now face a long legal fight that kicked off Monday. Here are the main takeaways.
Maduro, Flores face serious federal charges
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. ET, Maduro and Flores arrived at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, where they were arraigned on four charges: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine-guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine-guns and destructive devices.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The charges also apply to Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, who denies the allegations, as well as three other people.
Unsurprisingly, Maduro pleaded not guilty; he has vehemently denied drug trafficking claims in the past.
"I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man," Maduro said in Spanish.
He also called himself a "prisoner of war," and insisted he was illegally captured.
Flores also pleaded not guilty.
Maduro to challenge legality of the case
Although the court appearance was brief — lasting about 30 minutes — Maduro’s defence offered a glimpse into their likely arguments.
Namely, Maduro's team is expected to argue that his arrest was illegal and that he's immune from prosecution under international law because he’s the president of a sovereign state.
The U.S. however will likely argue that it doesn't recognize Maduro is a legitimate leader. In fact, many countries — including Canada and several Latin American nations — don't recognize Maduro's post. Meanwhile, Russia and China do.
Legal battle could last a long time
Maduro's next court appearance is slated for March 17. According to multiple reports, it could be several months — or even more than a year — before Maduro's trial begins.
Meanwhile, in Venezuela
As news of Maduro's arraignment unfolded, his Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez formally assumed the role of interim president. She was first sworn in by the country's high court on Saturday following the U.S. raid.
While it seems Maduro loyalists are still in charge in Venezuela — a development that contrasts Trump's assertion that the U.S. will "run" the country — Trump has said he’s not opposed to another attack if they don’t co-operate.
"If they don't behave, we will do a second strike," Trump said.
For her part, Rodríguez has said she's willing to collaborate with the Trump administration.
Venezuelans themselves have expressed mixed reactions, with many celebrating the removal of a president they consider a despot. (A previous UN fact-finding mission found evidence of crimes against humanity and human rights violations, particularly against political opponents, under the Maduro regime.)
Many other Venezuelans, however, decried U.S. intervention, harking back to the U.S.’s historic pattern of orchestrating regime changes in the region, mainly from left-wing to right-wing governments.
Maduro's son spoke out Monday
Maduro Guerra made his first public appearance since Saturday, at Venezuela's legislative palace, and spoke out against the U.S.'s stunning operation that resulted in the capture of his father and stepmother.
Maduro Guerra, or "Nicolasito," demanded that the U.S. return Maduro and Flores to Venezuela.
He appealed to international support.
"If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today, it's Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any nation that refuses to submit," said Maduro Guerra, who is also a politician. "This is not a regional problem. It is a direct threat to global political stability."
The 35-year-old also expressed his love for his father and support for Rodríguez, a Maduro ally.
World leaders emphasize rule of law
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres voiced concern about the aftermath of the U.S.'s aggressive operation, urging countries to follow international rule of law.
"I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," Guterres said in a statement, delivered to the council by UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo.
Many countries, including Canada and the U.K., responded diplomatically, urging restraint and respect for the rule of law as well as the rights of Venezuelans.
Leaders in Israel and Argentina — ideologically aligned with Trump — have supported the surprise military operation.
Domestically, U.S. politicians offered conflicting opinions — largely and unsurprisingly divided mainly along party lines. Following a Congressional briefing by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he believes the military operation was "decisive and justified." U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he was left with more questions than answers, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries repeatedly criticized Trump for not getting Congressional approval ahead of the attack.
Jeffries also said that Democrats don't support further military action in Venezuela — or elsewhere.
Other countries mentioned by Trump
Amid the flurry of headlines following Maduro's capture and subsequent arraignment, Trump also seemingly teased the possibility of future military operations in other countries.
The president already named Mexico, Colombia and Cuba, prompting responses from each.
For example, Trump said Cuba likely doesn’t need U.S. intervention because "Cuba's about to be down for the count."
Of Colombia, he said the country's leader Gustavo Petro is "sick" and that a military operation in the country is possible. On Monday, Petro said he'd continue to work with Trump to stymie drug trafficking into the U.S.
Greenland also came up again.
In an interview with The Atlantic magazine for an article published over the weekend, Trump said, "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security."
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was quick to respond — as were several European nations.
"We are not in the situation where we are thinking that a takeover of the country might happen overnight," Nielsen said. "You cannot compare Greenland to Venezuela; we are a democratic society."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also commented on the threats targeting Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory.
"Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland," Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR on Monday. "I have made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States."
France, Germany and the United Kingdom were among Greenland and Denmark’s allies who condemned Trump’s threats.
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